SEOM clinical guidelines for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (2023).

Cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a debilitating condition afflicting up to 80% of advanced-stage cancer patients. Characterized by progressive weight loss, muscle wasting, and metabolic abnormalities, CACS significantly compromises patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes. This comprehensive review navigates through its intricate physiopathology, elucidating its stages and diagnostic methodologies. CACS manifests in three distinct stages: pre-cachexia, established cachexia, and refractory cachexia. Early detection is pivotal for effective intervention and is facilitated by screening tools, complemented by nutritional assessments and professional evaluations. The diagnostic process unravels the complex interplay of metabolic dysregulation and tumor-induced factors contributing to CACS. Management strategies, tailored to individual patient profiles, encompass a spectrum of nutritional interventions. These include dietary counseling, oral nutritional supplements, and, when necessary, enteral nutrition and a judicious use of parenteral nutrition. Specific recommendations for caloric intake, protein requirements, and essential nutrients address the unique challenges posed by CACS. While pharmacological agents like megestrol acetate may be considered, their use requires careful evaluation of potential risks. At its core, this review underscores the imperative for a holistic and personalized approach to managing CACS, integrating nutritional interventions and pharmacological strategies based on a nuanced understanding of patient's condition.

What do patients and oncologists think about the evaluation and management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia? The Quasar_SEOM study.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition and early detection and raising awareness of nutritional issues is crucial in this population. METHODS: The Spanish Oncology Society (SEOM) conducted the Quasar_SEOM study to investigate the current impact of the Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (ACS). The study employed questionnaires and the Delphi method to gather input from both cancer patients and oncologists on key issues related to early detection and treatment of ACS. A total of 134 patients and 34 medical oncologists were surveyed about their experiences with ACS. The Delphi methodology was used to evaluate oncologists' perspectives of ACS management, ultimately leading to a consensus on the most critical issues. RESULTS: Despite widespread acknowledgement of malnutrition in cancer as a significant issue by 94% of oncologists, the study revealed deficiencies in knowledge and protocol implementation. A mere 65% of physicians reported being trained to identify and treat these patients, with 53% failing to address ACS in a timely manner, 30% not monitoring weight, and 59% not adhering to any clinical guidelines. The lack of experience was identified as the primary hindrance to the use of orexigens in 18% of cases. Furthermore, patients reported concerns and a perception of inadequate attention to malnutrition-related issues from their physicians. CONCLUSION: The results of this study point to a gap in the care of this syndrome and a need to improve education and follow-up of cancer patients with anorexia-cachexia.

Protective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cancer-Related Complications.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered immunonutrients and are commonly used in the nutritional therapy of cancer patients due to their ample biological effects. Omega-3 PUFAs play essential roles in cell signaling and in the cell structure and fluidity of membranes. They participate in the resolution of inflammation and have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. Additionally, they can act as agonists of G protein-coupled receptors, namely, GPR40/FFA1 and GPR120/FFA4. Cancer patients undergo complications, such as anorexia-cachexia syndrome, pain, depression, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Interestingly, the 2017 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines for cancer patients only discuss the use of omega-3 PUFAs for cancer-cachexia treatment, leaving aside other cancer-related complications that could potentially be managed by omega-3 PUFA supplementation. This critical review aimed to discuss the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cancer-related complications. Data compilation in this critical review indicates that further investigation is still required to assess the factual benefits of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cancer-associated illnesses. Nevertheless, preclinical evidence reveals that omega-3 PUFAs and their metabolites might modulate pivotal pathways underlying complications secondary to cancer, indicating that this is a promising field of knowledge to be explored.

Caracterización nutricional del síndrome anorexia-caquexia en el paciente oncológico pediátrico / Nutritional characterization of anorexia-cachexia in pediatric oncologic patient

Introducción: el síndrome anorexia-caquexia se puede observar en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes con cáncer avanzado y es un factor de riesgo de mortalidad muy importante. Objetivo: caracterizar, a través de la expresión de algunos indicadores del estado nutricional, el síndrome anorexia-caquexia en una cohorte de niños afectados con enfermedad oncológica por este síndrome. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo que incluyó 42 niños con diagnóstico de síndrome anorexia-caquexia evaluados por el Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional conjuntamente con el Servicio de Onco-hematología del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Juan Manuel Márquez, en la etapa comprendida entre 2000-2009. A todos los pacientes se les realizo en la primera consulta, una vez establecido el diagnóstico, un perfil antropométrico y un estudio metabólico mínimo (realizado 24 h posteriores a esta). A su vez se entrenó a la madre en el llenado de la encuesta por recordatorio de 3 días que coleccionó la información acerca de la calidad y cantidad de la alimentación en la semana siguiente a la primera consulta. Se aplicó un formulario realizado por el Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional para conocer algunas de las características relacionadas con los hábitos y conducta alimentarios. Resultados: tanto en los niños con enfermedades linfoproliferativas como los que padecen de tumores sólidos, se aprecia un deterioro nutricional considerable al momento de hacerse el diagnóstico. Existieron diferencias significativas en relación con los indicadores por ciento de pérdida de peso y velocidad de ganancia de peso, y solamente la albúmina, entre los indicadores metabólicos estudiados, resultó tener diferencia significativa. Los niños con tumores sólidos ingieren menos calorías que aquellos afectados por enfermedades linfoproliferativas, sin existir diferencias significativas en relación con las proteínas ingeridas. Conclusiones: existen ....(AU)

Introduction: the anorexia-cachexia syndrome may be present in the 80 percent of patients diagnosed with advanced cancer and it is a very important mortality risk factor. Objective: to characterize according to some indicators of the nutritional status, the anorexia-cachexia syndrome in a group of children involved by this syndrome with oncologic disease. Methods: a prospective and analytical study was conducted including 42 children diagnosed with anorexia-cachexia syndrome by the Nutritional Support Group together with the Oncology-Hematology of the Juan Manuel Márquez Reaching Children Hospital from 2000 to 2009. All the patients in the first consultation underwent after made the diagnosis, a anthropometric profile and a minimal metabolic study (conducted 24 hours after it). At the same time the mother was trained in the fill in of survey by reminder of three days to collect information on the quality and quantity of feeding at week after the first consultation. The form designed by the Nutritional Support Group was applied to know some of the features related to habits and food behavior. Results: in children presenting with lymphoproliferative diseases and in those with solid tumors, there is a considerable nutritional deterioration at moment of diagnosis. There were significant differences in relation to indicators of weight loss percentage and velocity of gain weight, and only the albumin -among study metabolic indicators- had a significant difference. Children presenting with solid tumors ingest less calories than those involved by lymphoproliferative diseases and no significant difference in relation to proteins ingested. Conclusions: there are differences in nutritional characteristics of anorexia-cachexia syndrome according to the type of oncologic disease present in child(AU)

Caracterización nutricional del síndrome anorexia-caquexia en el paciente oncológico pediátrico / Nutritional characterization of anorexia-cachexia in pediatric oncologic patient

Introducción: el síndrome anorexia-caquexia se puede observar en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes con cáncer avanzado y es un factor de riesgo de mortalidad muy importante. Objetivo: caracterizar, a través de la expresión de algunos indicadores del estado nutricional, el síndrome anorexia-caquexia en una cohorte de niños afectados con enfermedad oncológica por este síndrome. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo que incluyó 42 niños con diagnóstico de síndrome anorexia-caquexia evaluados por el Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional conjuntamente con el Servicio de Onco-hematología del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Juan Manuel Márquez, en la etapa comprendida entre 2000-2009. A todos los pacientes se les realizo en la primera consulta, una vez establecido el diagnóstico, un perfil antropométrico y un estudio metabólico mínimo (realizado 24 h posteriores a esta). A su vez se entrenó a la madre en el llenado de la encuesta por recordatorio de 3 días que coleccionó la información acerca de la calidad y cantidad de la alimentación en la semana siguiente a la primera consulta. Se aplicó un formulario realizado por el Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional para conocer algunas de las características relacionadas con los hábitos y conducta alimentarios. Resultados: tanto en los niños con enfermedades linfoproliferativas como los que padecen de tumores sólidos, se aprecia un deterioro nutricional considerable al momento de hacerse el diagnóstico. Existieron diferencias significativas en relación con los indicadores por ciento de pérdida de peso y velocidad de ganancia de peso, y solamente la albúmina, entre los indicadores metabólicos estudiados, resultó tener diferencia significativa. Los niños con tumores sólidos ingieren menos calorías que aquellos afectados por enfermedades linfoproliferativas, sin existir diferencias significativas en relación con las proteínas ingeridas. Conclusiones: existen ....

Introduction: the anorexia-cachexia syndrome may be present in the 80 percent of patients diagnosed with advanced cancer and it is a very important mortality risk factor. Objective: to characterize according to some indicators of the nutritional status, the anorexia-cachexia syndrome in a group of children involved by this syndrome with oncologic disease. Methods: a prospective and analytical study was conducted including 42 children diagnosed with anorexia-cachexia syndrome by the Nutritional Support Group together with the Oncology-Hematology of the Juan Manuel Márquez Reaching Children Hospital from 2000 to 2009. All the patients in the first consultation underwent after made the diagnosis, a anthropometric profile and a minimal metabolic study (conducted 24 hours after it). At the same time the mother was trained in the fill in of survey by reminder of three days to collect information on the quality and quantity of feeding at week after the first consultation. The form designed by the Nutritional Support Group was applied to know some of the features related to habits and food behavior. Results: in children presenting with lymphoproliferative diseases and in those with solid tumors, there is a considerable nutritional deterioration at moment of diagnosis. There were significant differences in relation to indicators of weight loss percentage and velocity of gain weight, and only the albumin -among study metabolic indicators- had a significant difference. Children presenting with solid tumors ingest less calories than those involved by lymphoproliferative diseases and no significant difference in relation to proteins ingested. Conclusions: there are differences in nutritional characteristics of anorexia-cachexia syndrome according to the type of oncologic disease present in child

Terapia nutricional enteral em pacientes oncológicos: uma revisão da literatura / Enteral nutrition therapy in oncology patients: a review of the literature

Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da terapia nutricional enteral sobre o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados. Métodos: Pesquisa nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, NCBI, Capes, Scielo, Google scholar e Cochrane, com ênfase nos últimos 10 anos, nos idiomas inglês e português, referente à terapia nutricional enteral empacientes com câncer, utilizando-se os descritores: desnutrição hospitalar, estado nutricional, terapia nutricional enteral, anorexia-caquexia e câncer. Foram selecionados ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados, seguidos de tratamento estatístico com significância de p ≤ 0,05. Resultados: Observou-se, por meio da literatura, que a terapia nutricional enteral, utilizada com o intuito de recuperar o estado nutricional de indivíduos debilitados, pode ser determinante na melhora do prognóstico de pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados, visto que a desnutrição é um achado comum, o que acarreta maior tempo de internação, maior incidência de complicações pré e pós-operatórias e elevada mortalidade. Conclusão: Os estudos analisados demonstraram que a terapia nutricional enteral é capaz de melhorar significativamente o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos e, conseqüentemente, o prognóstico dos mesmos.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of enteral nutrition therapy on the nutritional state of hospitalized cancer patients. Methods: Research in the Medline, Lilacs, NCBI, Capes, Scielo, Google scholar and Cochrane databases, with emphasis on the last 10 years, in English and Portuguese, on the enteral nutrition therapy in patients with cancer, by using the following descriptors: hospital malnutrition, nutritional state, enteral nutrition therapy, anorexia, cachexia and cancer. It selected randomized and controlled clinical experiments, followed by treatment with statistical significance of p ≤ 0.05. Results: We observed, through literature, that enteral nutrition therapy, used in order to recover the nutritional state of individuals debilitated, can be crucial on improving the prognostic of cancer patients hospitalized considering that malnutrition is a common finding, resulting in increased time of hospitalization, higher incidence of pre and postoperative complications and high mortality rates. Conclusion: Studies examined showed that enteral nutrition therapy is able to significantly improve the nutritional state of cancer patients and, therefore, their prognostic.